The following events are sponsored by the Earl Scruggs Center, 103 S. Lafayette St., Shelby. For more information about any event, call 704-487-6233 or email Info@earlscruggscenter.org.

Sunday: 3:30-5 p.m., Afternoon Tea and Tales with the Curator. Annmarie Reiley-Kay will share antidotes and tales about the history and traditions of tea from Europe to the American South. Features French and English pastries, tea sandwiches and tea, as well as music by an award-winning quartet. Program admission is $15 per person, and the Earl Scruggs Center member discount is available. Admission to the rest of the museum is $12 general admission, $8 for seniors and college students, $5 for youth ages 6-17 and free for ages 5 and younger. Seating is limited.

April 5: 2-3 p.m., “North Carolina and the Hydrologic Cycle: Influences on Water Quantity and Quality in the Tar Heel State” featuring Dr. William Anderson from Appalachian State University. North Carolina receives abundant rainfall every year, yet often lacks water. The state is also well-known for its pristine landscape from mountains to sea, yet much of the water is polluted. In this talk, Dr. Anderson will address a variety of hydrologic issues in North Carolina drawing from his research and peer-reviewed studies by other scientists. He will discuss topics including the influence of El Nino on the hydrology of North Carolina, the effect of over wash from hurricanes on water quality in coastal aquifers, the effect of urbanization on stream temperatures, and a variety of other issues. Free program admission. Admission to the rest of the museum is $12 general admission, $8 for seniors and college students, $5 for youth ages 6-17 and free for ages 5 and younger. Seating is limited. For more information, call 704-487-6233 or Info@earlscruggscenter.org

April 14-15: Two-day event celebrating the inaugural year at the Earl Scruggs Center, presented in conjunction with Stonecutter Foundation of Rutherford County.

On April 14, 7 p.m., at the Don Gibson Theatre, “Come Away to the Skies: a High Lonesome (Bluegrass) Mass” will be performed by the Rutherford Community Chorus under the direction of Tony Spencer.

On April 15, 7 p.m., a performance by selected choral students from Cleveland County’s four high schools will be held at Malcolm Brown Auditorium on the Shelby High campus. Special guests for this two-day event will be Dr. Tim Sharp, executive director of the American Choral Directors Association in Oklahoma City, Okla., is co-composer of the mass.

Tickets for both events are free.

For the bluegrass mass at the Don Gibson Theatre, tickets are limited to four per person and must be picked up in advance. Tickets are available by calling 704-487-8114.

Tickets are not needed for the Tuesday night performance at Malcolm Brown.